District of Columbia Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Washington DC (also the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax, and the counties of Arlington and Fairfax, in Virginia; and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in Maryland) · Virginia · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for District of Columbia is $92/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $183–$276/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in March and is lowest in July.
A 4-night business trip to District of Columbia in March totals $1,518: $1,104 lodging (4 nights) + $414 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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District of Columbia lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for District of Columbia. M&IE is flat at $92/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $196 | · |
| Feb | $196 | · |
| Mar | $276 | Peak |
| Apr | $276 | Peak |
| May | $276 | Peak |
| Jun | $276 | Peak |
| Jul | $183 | Low |
| Aug | $183 | Low |
| Sep | $275 | · |
| Oct | $275 | · |
| Nov | $196 | · |
| Dec | $196 | · |
How does District of Columbia compare with other Virginia per diem areas?
District of Columbia is the most expensive per diem area in Virginia for FY2026: its $276/night peak lodging cap tops the state's 10 non-standard areas, $113 above the state's $163/night NSA average.
Lodging in District of Columbia swings 51% across the year — from $183/night in July to $276/night in March — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $372 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $92/day regardless of season.
The next cheaper Virginia area is Wallops Island at $248/night peak; every unlisted Virginia location falls back to the $110 standard rate.
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District of Columbia per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for District of Columbia?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for District of Columbia, Virginia is $92 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $183–$276/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- What is the meal reimbursement (M&IE) rate in District of Columbia?
- $92 per day for FY2026: $23 breakfast, $26 lunch, $38 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $69.
- Is District of Columbia the most expensive per diem area in Virginia?
- Yes. By peak lodging cap, District of Columbia tops the 10 non-standard areas GSA lists in Virginia for FY2026 at $276/night — $166 above the $110 standard cap. Its full daily rate reaches $368 with M&IE included.
- Why does lodging per diem in District of Columbia change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In District of Columbia, lodging is highest in March at $276/night and lowest in July at $183/night. M&IE stays flat at $92/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in District of Columbia?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In District of Columbia the full daily cap is up to $368 (peak-month lodging + $92 M&IE). The portion above the GSA rate is taxable wages, and the stipend is only tax-free at all if you maintain a qualifying tax home.